We hope that this season of celebration and relationship
finds you elbow-deep in the joy of family, friends and church…time to
re-connect, time to remember, time to love, time to dream!

These last few months have been a great challenge for us.

Yes, there have been great ‘move forward’ moments, like the new ‘Estrellas’
sewing ministry member. There have been amazing discipleship moments with
pastors and future missionaries. There were ‘faithful partners’ who celebrated
our quarter-century anniversary with us in Michigan.

(sing) *Still a higher call had He*Deliverance from our sins *Come to set all
people free *From Satan's hold within*
*For by the sin of man we fell *By the
Son of God *He crushed the power of Hell *Death we fear no more*

Then there have been tough hurdles. Our San Vicente ministry
center (well, a rented house in the village) was broken into, and majorly
cleaned out. We’ve seen a significant decline of missionary funding in 2016
that hinders expanding ministry. We’re also ministering to a number of people
in very harsh circumstances, which weighs heavy on us.

(sing) *Now we stand with strength,
with power *The sons of God on earth *Faithful to the final hour*

*Christ's righteousness
our worth *And now all praise is given * For the babe, the Son *The Savior King is risen*

We realize these challenges need to be worked through. We
continue to connect, we’ve improved the security of our facility, we pray and
intercede for God’s favor and strength to move forward. Our Savior chose to
come into our reality in such a mind-blowing way; truly, our Immanuel, “God
with Us”… beyond our tough days, we continue to follow this Lord into a broken
and bleeding world.

“For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”(Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

Friday, December 2, 2016

Four years ago Camelia joined the "Star Seamstresses" making these zippered bags her first "for sale" item. Her participation in the micro-enterprise group has made a huge difference in the family economics. The financial goals she made at the beginning of her business journey included helping with the children's school expenses, making payments on property, and building a home. During the last four years not only did she use her profits for the above, but also to avert financial disaster when her husband was hospitalized for a whole month and then unable to work for three months because of his illness and surgery. Camelia's resilience proved strong as she went around the community selling her sewn aprons and bags in order to buy food and medicine during the crisis. Camelia continues to be a dedicated worker even though balancing her sewing time with the needs of her husband and five children can be challenging.